Color Options from American Patchwork & Quilting August 2012

We know you love the quilt projects that appear in American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. We took inspiration from projects in the magazine and created Web-exclusive versions, complete with full instructions.

Having trouble finding the perfect project for your favorite large-print fabrics? Quilt tester Laura Boehnke showcases some in this four-block throw. She changed the color palette to deep jewel tones with medium-tone backgrounds and added a skinny fuchsia inner border and a multicolor zigzag print outer border to tie the blocks together. Fabrics are from the Primitive collection by Jane Dixon and the Dimples collection by Gail Kessler, both for Andover Fabrics.

Bit By Bit also looks great when made from a single fabric. All it takes is two fat quarters for the bag body and two for the bag lining (if you’re not adding the pocket). This bag is machine-quilted with a narrow zigzag on some of the stripes. To prevent warped areas between the parallel rows of stitching, start sewing all rows from the same edge. Fabrics are from Anchors Away collection by Dear Stella.

The geometric shapes in Amazement inspired quilt tester Laura Boehnke to choose a fabric collection depicting southwest Native American pottery and paintings for her version of the quilt. A trio of borders with the darkest color at the inside frames a quilt center full of movement. Fabrics are from the Whispering Rocks collection by Stan Sisson for Avlyn.

Add a pop of color to any drab wall with this bright, vibrant wall hanging. Quilt tester Laura Boehnke put a spin on the original quilt by using a bird print background fabric instead of muslin. Swapping the color scheme to a fresh palette of greens and blues brought this piece to life. The born border ties the different prints together. Fabrics are from the Emma collection by Michele Scott of The Pieceful Quilter for Northcott.

An added inner border repeats the color of the light blue backgrounds in the leaf blocks. To make blocks that appear to be straight set, quilt tester Laura Boehnke alternated two background fabrics in the leaf blocks, then pieced the same fabrics into hourglass units and side setting triangles. For stems, Laura backed a green print with no-sew fusible web, then rotary-cut it into strips with a pinking blade. Fabrics are from the Joy of Life collection by Mary Capan for Hoffman California Fabrics.

When starting a quilt, take the time to make a test block. Even if you decide the block isn’t one you’ll enjoy making in multiples, you can frame it with several borders for a small wall hanging or table topper. Quilt tester Laura Boehnke began with a central fussy-cut airplane motif for her sweet wall hanging. Star, circle, polka dot, and mottled coordinates provide interest yet let the airplane border shine. Fabrics are from the Splash and the Moving and Shaking collections by Blank Quilting.